How do we overcome selfishness?

[Inlightnsoul]

When a person has become SO engrossed in the fulfillment of their own gross bodily desires, how can they break free of this vicious cycle and truly begin to serve others with a loving heart?

[Quartz]

That is a great question Inlightsoul, and one we all face in our own ways. Who is it that does not become engrossed in their selves at times? Spirit vs. flesh is a state of the human lesson, and experience. Not all bodily desires are gross, but yes many can be. We have become an unnatural being, pursuing only material and bodily desires. Giving no though of the spirit and in reality the higher life of our existence. But for everyone I guess it is different and we all take different paths.

For people to break free of cycles that are negative or causing disharmony in their lives requires them to acknowledge there is a problem and face it. And also want to remedy it and move on to a better state of existence or quality of life. Many do not wish to do that and yet many do wish to better their lives and are willing to take steps in doing so.

This world of materialism and bodily desire is but a stepping stone unto a higher playing field. A temporary experience made for us to gain knowledge and understanding in the universe in which we play a very important role within. Many who are very learned and intelligent know not what is to come to them in the afterlife. Many do not even give that question much of a thought. And they thus lead their lives in whatever fashion they choose, whether it be good or bad. There are those that realize what this life truly is, and what is to come beyond it. And they also lead their lives in whatever fashion they choose. However, for both parties exists the same universal laws, of what a man sows so shall he reap. Or cause and effect as you will, to those not inclined to listen to the religious phrases of the world.

And that takes us to serving others with a loving heart. That is something not gained by buying it or manipulating or faking it. But by desiring to truly helping others and striving to do it with a loving heart. How do we shape our heart to become a loving heart? By making it so by becoming a loving person, by putting away our prejudices and hates and accepting people for what they are, not always who they are. Each and every person has a higher capacity to be a radiant and good soul even as difficult as that may be to see in some.

I know of two paths in life. The upward path leading toward everlasting life and the downward path leading to at its extreme dissipation into the eternal elements. Or rather for simplicity, a real and tangible death where that one is heard of no more and gone from existence, even in the spirit world. But with both paths, each must face who they are and overcome their own weaknesses and pay for their own mistakes and errors they have done unto themselves and others.

Truth is what sets us free from bondage and slavery. But knowledge is the key to unlocking truths true potential. The doors to everlasting life are forever open to those that would venture fourth with courage and earnestly seek out the truths that the universe has to reveal to us.

Keep on seeking everyone and may you all find the truths that will lead you toward everlasting life accompanied by happiness and delight. Later, Allan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Eternal Progression) The spirit of man groweth by giving whatever the spirit has to give. Such is the way of spiritual progress.

[Inlightnsoul]

Quartz,

Thank you for your insights. I am well aware of the descending and ascending paths in life and the laws of karma, and cause and effect. But however versed I am in these topics, and even though I have an extreme desire to break out of my own cycle of self-serving, I find that my years of accumulated habits (the most recent five years to be exact) are much stronger than my desire to help others. In particular I am in the bondage of laziness (un-ambition, too much sleep), smoking cigarettes, lying to my spouse to cover up things she does not approve of, and other modes of self-satisfaction such as using drugs. I find that I am very ambitious to care for others until someone actually asks for my help or I volunteer for something. Then I find my self looking for every opportunity to get out of it! And if I look back even before I started all my bad habits, I can see the seeds of self-interest very early in my life.

I have always been a very compassionate person, never intentionally causing harm and always trying to resolve conflicts when they arise, but I find this kind nature is slipping away and I feel like I am destroying all the good parts of my self with bad habits. It seems like I can't help others and have bad habits at the same time. One thing though is I have never stopped loving God and I feel his grace is the only thing sustaining me.

I want to be a powerful instrument for the love and transforming power of God, and I know the best way to do this is to serve others. I have begun to intentionally feel love for people in my heart when they come to mind but I feel like this is not enough. I guess I am just rambling but I wonder if you or anyone has gone through something like this in their life and what was it that finally broke the curse? I've tried extreme self-effort but I am only beaten back harder with lethargy and weakness of will. I have tried associating with spiritual people but I find myself isolating from them as soon as there is a stirring in my heart.

I think I might be afraid of living as my higher self. For some reason I am afraid of a life full of energy and happiness. It is not the idea that scares me, I love the idea, it is something fundamental and at my core that I cannot pin down. Yesterday I came up with a mantra "what I do affects the lives of those around me" so I am going to try and repeat that when I feel like not doing anything. Because not doing anything is ignoring the needs of those around me, and I just can't tolerate my selfishness anymore! Anything come to mind?

[Quartz]

Hello Inlightsoul, and everyone else. You know life is a challenge and it can be difficult to do what is right. I mean just look at our governing forces around the world and how force and law is being used to covet others goods and natural resources. And yet we are required to follow and obey the laws that are currently enforced by the same governments breaking just about every law they themselves have written. Something seems funny there, but it is really easily seen through and analyzed. Just like we (people) are battling for the higher good within ourselves. So are governments, countries, families, and communities throughout the world. But in all that their remains one unit that makes it all flow, individuals. All living with their own set of traits, and imperfections, and degree of light they resonate within the world. Life is diverse and broad, and full of many different types of people, even though they all yet remain human.

Selfishness in itself is a barrier towards spiritual progress and it is something that when we rid ourselves of we become more open and warm and radiant. There is a process to overcome it, a way to improve our own qualities of love and goodness. That process involves patience, and discipline. Not hardcore but in small steps of acknowledgement and then doing something here and there that is in harmony with the change that we want to take. By practicing and doing we change inside maybe just a little, but it adds up. Over time we may overcome the things that we have grown to detest within our own selves.

Some things that we could do are get a bunch of cards and write to friends and family especially those we do not see much of anymore. If you are into crafts make something for someone, not for profit but to give away as a gift to another. The time you spend on someone else if your intent is pure will surely do your soul and spirit some good. And just help around the house more, because we all know it is easy to let our significant other do more of the housework.

There is so much more, maybe others out there could add some thoughts on this. You know this thread really is an important one. It is something all people face, and on a spiritual note many are struggling with. We live in a capitalistic society that embraces and promotes traits of selfishness and greed. How then can we overcome these things when the systems we live in seem to be engulfed by those things. We keep trying not only on and for ourselves, but to help the imperfect system that governs mankind today and to help others. Just know that in time all things will work out. Well time for me to move on to other things. I will try to reply back again. Take care and may you all and myself find the power to change for the better good within ourselves, Allan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (A Wanderer In The Spirit Lands) "I was now told that I had so far freed myself from the earth's attractions and overcome my desires for earthly things, that I was able to pass into the second sphere. The passing from the body of a lower sphere into that of a higher one is often, though not invariably, accomplished during a deep sleep which closely resembles the death-sleep of the spirit in leaving the earthly body. As a spirit grows more elevated, more etherealized, this change is accompanied by a greater degree of consciousness, till at last the passing from one high sphere to another is simply like changing one garb for another a little finer, discarding one spiritual envelope for a more ethereal one. Thus the soul passes onward, growing less and less earthly (or material) in its envelopment, till it passes beyond the limits of our earth spheres into those of the solar systems."